The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (or Reproducibility)" (German: Das Kunstwerk im Zeitalter seiner technischen Reproduzierbarkeit, originally published in Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung), is a 1936 essay by German cultural critic Walter Benjamin that has been influential across the humanities, especially in the fields of cultural studies, media theory, architectural theory[1] and art history. Written at a time when Adolf Hitler was already Chancellor of Germany, it was produced, Benjamin wrote, in the effort to describe a theory of art that would be "useful for the formulation of revolutionary demands in the politics of art." He argued that, in the absence of any traditional, ritualistic value, art in the age of mechanical reproduction would inherently be based on the practice of politics. There are three known published versions of the essay: the original lengthy German version (1935), a second French edition (1936) modified (and translated) by Benjamin, and a final version (1939) (which later became the “official” version, from which the English translation was taken).[2]

The essay was written for a small circle of academics to position art in the sphere of mass media,[3] and first published in French (1936, translated by Pierre Klossowski).[4]

In German, it was first published in Benjamin's collected work (1955), and subsequently in the two-volume Illuminationen: Ausgewählte Schriften (Illuminations: Selected Writings, 1961.) In English, it was first published in Hannah Arendt's English-language selection, Illuminations (1968, translated by Harry Zohn.).[5]

Summary

The essay opens with a quotation of Paul Valéry from Pièces sur L’Art (specifically from "La conquête de l'ubiquité", "The Conquest of Ubiquity") that argues that the art that was developed in the past differs from that of the present time and hence our understanding and treatment of it must develop in order to understand it in a modern context and develop new techniques. This opening statement sets the tone for Benjamin’s Marxist argument.

The preface introduces Marxist theory as applied to the construction of society and the position of art in the context of Capitalism. He explains the conditions to show what could be expected of capitalism in the future, resulting in exploiting the proletariat and ultimately making it possible to abolish capitalism itself.

The body examines the development of mechanical visual reproduction from copying a master's work, Greek founding and stamping, woodcutting, etching, engraving, lithographs and photography demonstrating that technical reproduction is not a modern phenomenon, yet modern methods allow for greater accuracy across mass production. This process was ultimately more distinguished by the tracing of designs on stone rather than incision on blocks of wood.

Benjamin discusses the concept of authenticity, particularly in application to reproduction. 'Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be.'[6] He argues that the "sphere of authenticity is outside the technical" so that the original artwork is independent of the copy, yet through the act of reproduction something is taken from the original by changing its context. He thus introduces the idea of the "aura" of a work and its absence in a reproduction, a concept borrowed from earlier ideas developed by Ludwig Klages.[7][8]

He looks at the changes in society's values over time, "the manner in which human sense perception is organized, the medium in which it is accomplished, is determined not only by nature but by historical circumstances as well."[6] Benjamin goes on to describe shifts in taste and style in art history and how this interacts with his concept of aura.

Despite the effect of a reproduction on the original, Benjamin writes "The uniqueness of a work of art is inseparable from its being embedded in the fabric of tradition,"[6] which speak to the separation of the original from the reproduction. He also discusses the ritualization of reproduction and the emancipation of "the work of art from its parasitical dependence on ritual."[6]

The changing values of exhibition are analysed, from historic works which were for private viewing and religious works which were for limited viewing contrasting this with the publicity of modern art which has an emphasis on mass exhibition, coupled with the means to show it to much larger audiences than previously possible.

Influence

The essay had a major influence on the Frankfurt School and their aesthetic and political analysis, particularly Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer and Herbert Marcuse.[9]

John Berger drew on ideas from the essay for Ways of Seeing, his four-part television series, and subsequent book, for the BBC first broadcast in 1972. Berger's point, which he made far more explicitly than did Benjamin, was that the modern means of production have destroyed the authority of art: "For the first time ever, images of art have become ephemeral, ubiquitous, insubstantial, available, valueless, free."[10]

References

  1. ↑ Brian Elliott, Benjamin for Architects, Routledge, London, 2011.
  2. ↑ Notes on Walter Benjamin, “The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction”, a commentary by Gareth Griffiths, Aalto University, 2011.
  3. ↑ Scannell, Paddy (2003) "Benjamin Contextualized: On 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction'" Canonic Texts, p. 74–89, in Katz et al. (eds.). Polity Press, Cambridge. ISBN 9780745629346 p. 55
  4. ↑ "L'œuvre d'art à l'époque de sa reproduction méchanisée" in Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung Jahrgang V, Félix Alcan, Paris, 1936, pp. 40–68.
  5. ↑ The content of Arendt's edition is not the same as its same-named German predecessor; see her Editor's note at the end of Illuminations.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Walter Benjamin (1968). Hannah Arendt, ed. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction", Illuminations. London: Fontana. pp. 214–218. ISBN 9781407085500.
  7. ↑ J.G. Merquior (1986). Western Marxism, London: Palladin, p. 119
  8. ↑ Hansen, Miriam Bratu (2008). "Benjamin's Aura", Critical Inquiry 34 (Winter 2008)
  9. ↑ George Friedman, The Political Philosophy of the Frankfurt School. Cornell University Press, New York, 1988.
  10. ↑ John Berger, Ways of Seeing. Penguin Books, London, 1972, pp. 32–34.

External links

(German)

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